Carbide agitator for acetylene generators



H. G. IRWIN Sept. 10, 1929.

CARBIDE AGITATOR FOR ACETYLENE GENERATORS Fil n- 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 10, 1929.

CARBIDE AGITATOR FOR ACETYLENE GENERATORS Fil an- 2 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 H. G. IRWIN Sept. 10, 1929.

CARBIDE AGITATOR FOR ACETYLENE GENERATORS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 26, 1925 M'VENTOR Patented Sept. 10, 1929.

PATENT OFFICE.

HERBERT G. IRWIN, OF AMARILLO, TEXAS.

CARBIDE AGITATOR FOR v.AQETYLENIE GENERATORS.

Application filed January 26, 1925. Serial No. 4,935.

My invention relates to improvements in acetylene generators for welding purposes of the carbide to water type in which an automatically controlled valve regulates the gravitation of granular carbide from a con tainer into a water container, the rate of carbide feed bein determined by the rate of consumption 0 the acetylene generated; and the objects of my improvements are,

first, to agitate thecarbide in the vicinity of the feed valve to prevent banking or clogging of the carbide so the feeding of same may be constantly maintained and uniformly governed to generate acetylene in proportion to the rate of the consumption of acetylene; second, to use the now of the acetylene drawn from the generator in use for operating means connected and arranged with the acetylene outlet and carbide feed mechanism for agitating the carbide.

These stated objects and such other objects as will incidentally appear in the course of the following description are at tained in the several forms of mechanisms illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and the invention resides in certain novel features which will be pointed out in the claim following the description.

)0 In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a vertical section of an acety- 'lene-generator having an internal carbide hopper illustrating one form of feed mechanism equipped with my invention.

15 Figure 2 is a vertical section of an acetylene-generator having an external carbide hopper and illustrates another form of valve feed mechanism equipped with my invention.

10 Figure 3 is a vertical section of the up per portion of an acetylene-generator illus-.-

trating still another form of valve feed mechanism equipped with my invention.

-Figure 4. is a vertical section of the up- .per portion of an acetylene-generator similar to that shown in Fig. 1 and it shows my invention applied in a modified way.

Figure 5 is a vertical section of the upper portion of a generator having a carbide feed similar to that shown in Fig. 1

the feed control being omitted and it shows still another method of applying my invention.

Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the valve stem of the feed mechanism shown in Fig. 1. The vibrator is mounted on the valve stem and consists of a multiple diaphragm, which is shown in section.

Figure 7 illustrates the several units of the diaphragm assembly shown in Fig. 6 in cross section. The units being spaced apart and arranged in the manner in which they assemble.

Figure 8 is an enlarged view of a valve stem similar to that shown in Fig. 6. It

is equipped with a modified form of vibrator which is shown in section.

Figure 9 is an enlarged view in vertical section of the agitator mechanism embodied in the feed shown in Fig. 2. The vibrator being mounted on the valve stem and consists of a multiple diaphragm.

Figure 10 is a view of a valve stem that is interchangeable with the valve stem shown in Fig. 92 The vibrator consists of single diaphragm carried in a case which is shown in section.

Figure 11 is a detail view of the flash-back safety tank of the generator shown in Fig.

2. r A portion "of its wall being broken away for illustrating the water seal.

Figure 12 is an enlarged sectional view of a type of check valve that may be placed in the acetylene outlet pipe to interrupt the gas flow for energizing the vibrator.

Figure 13 'is a sectl onal view of a ball type of check valve that may be placed in the acetylene outlet pipe for interrupting the gas flow.

Figure 14 is a sectional view of one form of liquid type interrupter that may be connected with the acet lene outlet pipe .for interrupting the gas ow.

Figure 15 is a sectional view of another form of a liquid interrupter.

In detail: w

Similar numerals refer to. similar parts throughout the several views.

My invention may be applied to any valve feed generator and the several forms of feed mechanisms shown herein are for illustrative purposes. may be of any suitable form and the carbide container 2, may be of either internal or external type and of various shapes common in generator design. The feed valve 3, maybe any of the various types that operate above or below the mouth or outlet.

4, of the carbide container. In the-automatic valve feed generator a diaphragm of some form is commonly used to controlthe feed valve and is connected with the and its outer marginal edge is clamped between the flanges 9 9, of the housing in the usual manner. The section 6 of the housing communicates with the atmosphere through .the aperture 10, and in this section of the housing is positioned the usual feed spring 11, to press against the outer side of the diaphragm when the hand crank 12, is

screwed down to set the feed in operation.

. In the present forms of valve gearing the spiral spring 13, tends to hold the feed valve closed. In Figs. 1, 4 and 5 this spring is shown about the upper end of the feed valve stem 14, while Fig. 3 shows the spring on the upper end of the rod 15, which rod is connected with the feed valve through the link 16. The spring 13A, in Fig. 2 serves in the same capacity as the spring 13 except it is positioned to press downwardly on the inner end of the lever 17, to close the feed valve. The broad flat nut 18, on the upper extremity of the feed valve stem 14 and rod 15 in Figs. 1, 3 and 4 abuts the under side of the control diaphragm and the spring 13 presses upwardly against the under side of the nut to close the feed valve when the control diaphragm is flexed upwardly by gas pressure or when the feed spring 11 is released.

Upon reference to Figs. 1 and 4 it will be seen that by screwing the hand crank 12 downwardly compressing the feed spring 11 against the upper side of the feed control diaphragm 5 causes the diaphragm to yield downwardly, and through its pushing the valve stem 14 downwardly will open the feed valve 3 and allow some granular carbide 19, fall into the water 20, in the lower portion of the water chamber 1 will cause acetylene to be generated. Acetylene will The water container 1,

cut off the flow of carbide. ofithe acetylene is used from the generator,

flow by the feed valve into the carbide container, hence into the lower section 7 of the diaphragm housing to the under side of the control diaphragm, and when the acetylene pressure reaches a point to overcome the pressure of the feed spring the diaphragm will flex upwardly as the pressure increases, allowing the spring 13 to draw the feed valve sufficiently closed to Now if some the'acetylenepressure on the under side of the control diaphragm will be diminished allowing the diaphragm to yield downwardly under influence of the feed spring somewhat in accordance with the decrease in the acetylene'pressure, until the feed valve is opened suflicient to allow more carbide fall into the water, and in this manner automatically maintaining a pressure in the generator until all the carbide in the carbide'container is used up.

The operation of the form of feed shown in Fig. 3 is similar to that of Figs. 1 and 4. The rod 15 leading from the control diaphragm is connected with the feed valve through the link 16 having pivots 21 and 22. Under influence of the feed spring 11 the rod 15 moves downwardly to open the feed valve. Acetylene pressure on the under side of the control diaphragm counter-acts the effect of the feed spring on the rod 15 and the spring 13 moves the rod upwardly closing the valve. 7

The operation of the feed shown in Fig. 2 differs slightly from the feeds previously described, in that the feed valve is positioned above the carbide outlet 4 and moves upwardly to open. The operating motion of the feed spring 11 and the control diaphragm being reversed by the lever 17 which is mounted on the pivot 25. The outer end of the lever being connected with the control diaphragm through the push-rod 23.

The foregoing description of the several forms of carbide feeds taken in connection with the drawings is intended as an exemplification only, as my invention is best applied to the valve feed typle of generator. While the ordinary acetylene generator with a diaphragm controlled valve feed is automatic in operation, there is some variation in the acetylene pressure, which, however, is required for the feed .to function. In using a popular size of carbide known on the market as 4 x an ordinary valve feed is somewhat intermittent and the variation of the acetylene pressure is accordingly augmented to a degree that is objectionable for welding purposes. The increased variation of the acetylene pressure being due to the irregular size and shape of the grains of this size of carbide, together by its clogging or banking in the reduced portion of the carbide container ad-' jacent the feed valve. .That is the rough touching carbide grains seem to congest in the small end of the conical carbide hopper bottom in the vicinity of the feed valve. This requires an increased opening movement of the feed valve at times to start the flow of carbide which represents considerable reduction of the acetylene pressure. Then when the flow of carbide has started, much passes the feed valve before there is enough acetylene generated to energize the control diaphragm whereby, to close the feed valve. The excess acetylene generated thereby brings the pressure above normal which hinders the welder, in that he is compolled to stop welding and readjust his torch. This objectionable feature oh the valve feed generator may be eliminated by keeping the carbide in the vicinity of the feed valve in constant motion or slightly moved at close intervals while acetylene is being used from the generator. The result being a constant and uniform feed of carbide, and acetylene is generated in proportion to the rate at whlch acetylene is consumed, thereby reducing the variation of the pressure for controlling the feed to a minimum. I accomplish this by providing means in the acetylene outlet pipe to interrupt at close intervals the outward acetylene flow so as to slightly fluctuate the pressure of the flow and placing a medium in communication with the outlet pipe for registering the fluctuating pressure of the flow in a form of vibrant energy and transmitting said energy to the carbide feed mechanism or means in contact with the carbide in the vicinity of the feed valve to efi'ect the agitation of the carbide about the feed valve. Of course in applying my invention to various forms oi feeds requires modification in minor details as well alteration in the feed mechanism, the acetylene outlet line etc. In Fig. 1 for an instance the acetylene outlet pipe 26, enters the water container some distance below the water level and extends upward adjacent the inner periphery of the container to a point near the carbide container. To the outer end of the outlet pipe is connected a vertical check valve 34, and the usual flash-back safety tank 35. On the inner end of the outlet pipe I provide an interrupter comprising an angle check valve 27, (see Figs. 12 and 13) for slightly pulsating or interrupting the outward acetylene flow in the pipe. In communication with the outlet pipe a slight distance above the water level is located a tubular nipple 28, to

which one end of a flexible tube or hose 29, is secured. The hose extends toward the center of the water container and bends upward and is secured to a second nipple 30, that projects downward from the center of the feed valve. The hose being flexible,

yields to the operation of the feed valve and serves a purpose which will appear presently. The vibrator 31, is located on the valve stem within the carbide container a slight distance above the feed valve, and that portion J, of the valve stem from the vibrator down to the feed valve including the hose nipple 30 is tubular, so the vibrator through the medium of the hose 29 will be in constant communication with the acetylene outlet pipe. The valve stem guide 33, is carried by a bracket 36, that extends across the carbide container and to the lower edge of the bracket centrally with the guide a shield or housing 33A, is suspended. Said housing extends downwardly over the vibrator to a point near the bottom of the carbide'container to provide a space wherein the vibrator may move up and down with the valve stem, the carbide passing under the lower edge of the housing to the feed valve and outlet. The vibrator in this instance is composed of a series of thin ring like metallic plates 32, having edge flanges A and B, comprising binders adapted to be bent over a correspondin plain edge C and D, of the adjacent plate %or joining the several plates together. The several plates may seenarranged in the manner in which they assemble in Fig. 7. (See Fig. 6 also.) The lower end of the section K, of the feed valve stem is secured to the center of a relatively'thick disk 32A, and the upper end of the tubular section J is sechred to the center of a second disk 32B, which is identical in configuration with the disk 32A. The upper and lower plates of the vibrator structure have their flanges B B bent over the edge portion of said disks to join the two sections of the valve stem with the vibrator. Solder being used to secure all joints insuring a gas tight structure. To prevent undue expanslonor possiblefracturing of the vibrator should any excess pressure occur in the outlet pipe, a case 31A, is provided to enclose and protect the vibrator. The case fits loosely over the vibrator with its upper side lying upon the disk 32A of the structure, there being enough clearance between the disk 32B and the lower side of the case for the vibrator to operate without striking ,the case.-

When acetylene is used from the enerator it enters the outlet pipe 26 throug the interrupter valve 27, flows throu h the vertical check valve 34 into the flas -back tank 35 and upward through the water 39, contained in said tank and through the cut-oil bide responds immediately to the regulating movements of the feed valve, which results in the feed flow being accurately controlled with respect to the consumption of acetylene.

The valve stem shown in Fig. 8 is equipped with a. modified form of vibrator and may be used in the feed mechanism shown in Fig. 1 instead of the valve stem I shown in Fig. 6. In this form of vibrator the case 31B, consists of two cone shaped sections E and F, between which is clamped a flexible diaphragm 32C, of the usual rubher and fabric type. The diaphragm forms 4 a flexible partition in the case and the tubular section J of the valve stem has its upper end secured to the center of the diaphragm. The upper section K of the valve stem has its lower end secured to the point of the upper section F of the diaphragm case. The sides of the lower section E of the diaphragm case terminate in a tubular guide G, that keeps the lower section of the valve stem in alinement with the upper section of the stem. Acetylene in the outlet pipe is admitted to the upper side of the diaphragm through the hose 29 and the lower section J of the valve stem, while acetylene in the generator is admitted to the under side of the diaphragm through the guide G and openings H, in the lower section of the case.

It will be seen that by diminishing the acetylene pressure on the upper side of the diaphragm the pressure on the under side thereof will flex the diaphragm upwardly, lifting the lower section of the valve stem and feed valve. Then to equalize or almost equalize the pressure on the upper side of the diaphragm with that on its under side, the weight of the lower section of the valve stem will flex the diaphragm downwardly and if this is carried on repeatedly at close intervals as by the action of the interrupter valve 27 on the outward acetylene flow in the outlet pipe, the diaphragm and the lower section of the valve stem will be put in vibration. The valve placed in the outlet pipe to interrupt theacetylene flow, 'will be understood to be any type of valve that will operate under influence of the acetylene flow whereby, to check the flow for a short period of time repeatedly. Thus it is obvious that the fluctuation of the acetylene pressure in the outlet pipe due to the frequent checking of the acetylene flow energizes the vibrator.

The fluctuation of the pressure in the outlet pipe to a certain extent does not hinder good operation of the welding torch. The interrupter valves shown in Figs. 12 and 13 have bodies adapted for connecting in the angle of a pipe, but if desirable to locate the interrupter in a. vertical or horizontal section of the outlet pipe a valve adapted to work in a vertical or horizontal position may be used. It is necessary that the oscillatoror valving member whether a ball 27A, or a cone 2713, or of any other form, he fitted accurately to its seat so as no gas will pass without unseating the member. In installing the valve interrupter it is necessary that it is arranged in the outlet so the valving member will move away from its seat in the direction of the flow.

In Fig. 2, the vibrator 31 is located on the feed valve stem also and in a manner similar to that shown in Fig. 1. The structure comprising the vibrator being the same as that shown in Figs. 6' and 7. The valve stem in this form of feed is comparatively short and is suspended from the inner end of the lever 17 by a pivot 25A. The upper section of this valve stem is tubular and is designated by letter M, while the lower section comprising a rod is designated by letter N. The upper end of the section M of the valve stem is angled to provide a nipple 14A, to receive one end of the hose 29A, that extends lengthwise under the lever 17 to a second nipple 39A, screwed into the inner end of a sleeve coupling 39, which latter issecured in the outer end wall of the lever housing 17A. A pipe 40, has one end screwed into the outer end of the coupling 39 and bends downward to unite with the acetylene outlet pipe 26 through the union 40A, of the angle fitting 26A, in the latter pipe. (See Fig. 9.) a The interrupter valve 27 is of horizontal form in this instance and is located in the horizontal section of the outlet pipe between the angle fitting 26A and the generator body. It is preferred to locate, the interrupter outside of the generator where it will be accessible for cleaning or "otherwise in case itshould fail to operate properly. The lower end of the outlet pipe connects with a horizontal check valve 34A, and the usual flash-back safety tank 35. (See Fig. 11.) The vibrator 31 communicates with the acetylene outlet pipe 26 through the upper section M of the valve stem, the hose 29A and the pipe 40. The energy of the vibrator is carried by the lower section N of the valve stem and feed valve to the carbide in the vicinity of the valve and outlet 4:, ,with obvious results.

The valve stem shown in Fig. 10, may be used in the place of the stem shown in Figs. 2 and 9. The vibrator here is the same as that shown in Fig. 8, the upper and lower sections of the valve stem being reversed,

that is, the upper section M is tubular while the lower section N comprises a rod which memes:

has it upper end secured to the center of the diaphragm 32C.

In Fig.v 3 the vibrator81 is substantially the same as that shown in Figs. 8 and 10. Instead of being located on the valve stem, the vibrator is positioned on the inner horizontal portion of the acetylene outlet pipe 26 directly under the end 16A, of the horizontal link member 16 of the feed mechanism. A post 41, secured to the center of the diaphragm 32C connects the diaphragm with said link member at the pivot 16A. Spiral springsX, are positioned in the vibrator case on opposite sides of the dia phragm to carry the strain exerted b the feed mechanism on the post 41 in actuating the feed valve. The lower section E of'the vibrator case in this instance communicates with the outlet pipe at 310, where acetylene is admitted from said pipe to the under side of the diaphragm, while acetylene in the generator is admitted to the upper side of the diaphragm through the openmg in the upper section F of the case through which the post 41 projects. The interrupter valve 27 is fitted on the inner extremity of the outlet pipe to interrupt the acetylene flow as it enters the pipe. The diaphragm of the vibrator is operated by fluctuation in pressure of the interrupted acetylene flow. The energy of the vibrator is expanded in the link member 16 and the feed valve, thereby agitating the carbide about the feed valve and outlet when acetylene is used from the generator.

In Fig. 4 the inner portion of the acetylene outlet pipe is disposed vertically adjacent the inner wall of the generator body. The feed valve stem pro ects some distance below the feed valve and is reduced somewhat at the end. A vibrator 31 similar to that shown in Fig. 3 is positioned on the inner portion of the outlet pipe in communication therewith and in a horizontal plane with the reduced end 140, of the valve stem. A flexible coupler 42, connects the vibrator diaphragm 32G;

with said reduced end of the valve stem. The coupler being flexible yields to the feed motion of the feed valve. The interrupter valve 27 is fitted on the upper extremity of the outlet pipe to interrupt the acetylene flow in the pipe, whereby to energize the vibrator. By this arrangement the vibrator functions to shake the feed valve 3 laterally through the coupler 42 when there is an out- Ward flow of acetylene in the outlet pipe.

In Fig. 5 the acetylene outlet pipe 26 enters the generator at the top to one side of the carbidefeed mechanism and extends down through the carbide container 2 into the upper portion of the .water container 1 ashort distance. The vibrator 31 is secured to the lower extremity of the outlet pipe in communication therewith. Y The interrupter valve 27 is located between the vibrator and the bottom of the carbide container on a tubular nipple that projects from the outlet pipe. The mouth 4A, of the carbide container is relatively large in this instance and a shaker comprising a cone shaped cup 43, is suspended directly under the month by a pair of arms 44 and 45, projecting from opposite sides of the cup. The arm 44 has its outer end pivoted to the lower end of a bracket 44A, that extends downward from the bottom of the carbide container. The outer end of the arm 45 is connected with the vibrator diaphragm 32C by a depending connector 45A. A carbide outlet 4 is provided in the bottom of the shaker cu 43 and the feed valve 3 seats in said outlbt. Carbide from the carbide container enters the shaker cup through the mouth 4A b gravity and the feed valve regulates carbi e from the shaker cup into the water container. Acetylene from the water container enters the outlet ipe through the interrupter valve 27, which atter interrupts the flow for energizlng the vibrator. The vibrator functions to operate the shaker 43 by moving the arm 45 in successive motion up and down when there Is a flow in the outlet pipe.

An ordinary ball check valve of either cone or ball type placed in the acetylene outlet pipe so the valve member will open in the direction of the flow, the valve member will click continually or vibrate upon its seat under influence of an outward flow of acetylene,

serves to interrupt the flow for energizing the vibrator, and may be used on, generators of either stationary or portable type. The ball type of check valve is found to give better service than any other mechanical type of check valve. The brass or bronze two hundred pound pressure ball check valve, on the present market, is found to have the ball and seat accurately machined and fitted and to be durable as a gas flow interrupter. The three quarter inch ball check valve is found to be a suitable size for small generators designed to furnish acetylene for one welding torch for ordinary repair shop welding. The one inch size check valve suitable for a generator desi ed to furnish acetylene for one to three we ding torches or cuttmg torches in ordinar weldin or cutting. In generators adapte to furnish acetylene for a number of welding torches, I prefer to use a 11 uid type of interrupter such as shown 1n lgs. 14 and 15. This type of interrupter while not as violent on the flow is more suitable than the mechanical check valve, in thatlt will fluctuate the pressure of, a small flow of acetylene as well as a large flow, while the mechanical valve of such size as will fluctuate the pressure of a large flow of acetylene fails at times to operate properly In a small flow as when only one welding torch w1th a small burning tip is being used, due to wear or particles of some nature lodging on the valve or the valve seat, which hold the valve slightly open allowing a small flow of acetylene to pass without operating the valve.

The liquid form of interrupter shown in Fig. 14 comprises an upright cylinder 46, having top and bottom end closures 46A and 46B, forming a tank adapted to hold a quantity oi? water or other suitable liquid 47, in its lower end portion. A comparatively small cylinder 48, is disposed centrally within the tank 46 and has its upper end hermetically secured to the under side of the closure 46A. The lower end 48A, of the cylinder extends down into the liquid 47 to a point near the bottom 46B of the tank. The acetylene outlet pipe 26 has its lower end connected with the closure 46A so as to be in communication with the cylinder 48. A second pipe 49, is connected with the closure 46A so as to communicate with the annular space 4613, in the upper portion of the tank 46 and leads to the vibrator 31. The annular space 463 of the tank 46 communicates with the usual flash-back safety tank through the horizontal check valve 3%, and the downturned pipe 35A, which is disposed within the fiash-back tank. The valve 34A opens to permit a flow of acetylene from the interrupter tank into the flash-back tank and closes against its return. In operation, acetylene from the outlet pipe 26 flows into the cylinder 48 forcing the liquid 4:7 out of the lower end of the cylinder into the tank 46, which raises the liquid level in said tank to a point indicated by the dotted line 50.

- From the lower end 48A of the cylinder acetylene flows upward through the annular column of liquid into the annular space 46B between the cylinder and the wall of the tank 46, hence through the check valve 34A into the flash-back tank 35. Acetylene flows from the flash-back tank through the cutofi valve 38 into the torch line, not shown. By reason that volume of liquid from the lower end of the cylinder 48 being held in the lower end of the space 46B by the acetylene 'flow, havin a tendency to flow back into the said cylinder against the acetylene flow, fluctuates the pressure at which the acetylene flows in space 463 which energizes the vibrator through the medium or the pipe 49. a

The interrupter shown in Fig. 15 consists of a relatively large U shaped tube 51, hav ing end closures 51A and 5113. The acetylene outlet pipe 26 connects with one end of the tube through the closure 51A and the pipe 49 leading to the vibrator connects with the other end of the tube through the closure 51B. Enough liquid 47 is laced in the tube to fill the bend portion an upward to the fill plug 520, forming a kind of seal that separates the gas spaces 52 and 53. In operation, acetylene from the outlet pipe 26 flows into the space 52 forcing the hquid 47 in that portion of the tube around the bend which raises the column upward into the space 53 to a heighth indicated by the dotted line 500'. This increases the space 52 downwardly to a level with the upper portion 51]), of the tubes bend, from which point acetylene flows around the bend and upward through the column of liquid into the space 53. From space 53 acetylene flows through the horizontal check valve 34A into the flash-back tank, not shown, and on to the point of consumption. The interrupter tube having greater carryingcapacity than its inlet or outlet, retards the acetylene flow in the spaces 52 and 53 considerably. The

liquid in the bend portion of the tube functioning as a seal between said gas spaces resists the acetylene flow to an extent that it requires some reduction of the pressure in space 53 for acetylene in space 52 to break through the seal. When the seal is broken acetylene rushes into space 53 in such volume that immediately fills the latter space to a pressure. approximately equal to that in space 52, consequently allowing the seal to close. The closing. of the seal is only momentlv as it is broken again when some of the acetylene flows out of the space 53 into the flash-back tank and the operation occurs repeatedly while acetylene is being used. The frequency of operation depending on the carrying capacity of the tube 51 and the rate at which acetylene is consumed. It will be seen that the liquid 47 is oscillated in the bend portion of the tube under influence of a flow of acetylene and the pressure in space 53 is accordingly fluctuant which energizes the vibrator through the pipe 49.

The degree of pressure change in the acetylene flow should be no greater than that required to provide energy enough to shake the feed valve when the latter is in feeding position and it will not be necessary to shake the feed valve harshly to get a regular flow of carbide. Pressure waves extend to the welding flame at the torch and if too high, will fluctuate the proportion of acetylene in the mixture of the gases to a point that will be" good operation of the torch, they may be reduced somewhat by using a less sensitive vibrator. The liquid type interrupter will usually require a sensitive vibrator.

While I have shown my invention applied to an acetylene generator in various ways, it

may be noticed that in each of the several generators embodying my improvements that have been described the outward acetylene j spirit of the invention; it is, therefore,- to he er and yet permit free movement of the valve understood that this invention is not to he 7 limited to the details described and shown W hat I claim is in a carbideagitator for an acetylene generator, said:generator having an acetylene outlet pipe and a carbide feed valve, an acetylene flow interrupter connected with said outlet pipe, said interrupter provided to ininterrupt the acetylene flow through said outlet pipe for operating a diaphragm vi hrator, said vibrator having tubular connection with the outlet pipe and also being connected with said feed valve so as to agitate the valve and carbide in the vicinity therein regulating the feeding of carbide.

"' HERBERT G; IRWIN. 

